For Immediate Release March 11, 2005
                                                EMBARGOED TO MARCH 11, 2005
Food security – it is a basic right for all Canadians, say dietitians

TORONTO, ON.  Canada enjoys one of the highest standards of living in
the world, yet over 10 percent of our population - approximately 3
million people - cannot count on a healthy diet.  They lack the funds
to purchase sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary
needs and food preferences for an active healthy life.   In other words
these Canadians experience food insecurity.  In a position statement
released today, Dietitians of Canada calls for improvements in the
social safety net in order to address the root cause of individual and
household food insecurity – poverty.

While Canada lacks a coordinated, systematic plan for monitoring food
insecurity, the data that are available show that the risk of food
insecurity, or lack of food, increases with declining income.
Households most at risk for food insecurity include one-parent
families, especially with children under the age of 13, those receiving
social assistance, those who rent their dwellings and Aboriginal people
living off reserves.  Remote northern Canadian communities face unique
food security challenges as food is expensive and often unavailable, of
poor quality and typically of poorer nutritional value.

“Research consistently demonstrates that individuals in food-insecure
households are at increased nutritional risk and have poorer health,”
says Elaine Power, professor at Queens University and author of the DC
position paper.  “Lack of money makes it more difficult to purchase
foods required to manage medical conditions, leading further to poor
health.”

Governments, the volunteer and private sectors, as well as public
health personnel have responded to food insecurity in various ways –
charitable food distribution such as food banks; community kitchens;
food skills workshops; school and community feeding programs.  While
well-meaning, all of these approaches have inherent limitations, since
many rely on volunteer labour, donations and good will which are almost
always inadequate to meet the demand.  Moreover, food banks may be
difficult to access by those in need; food may be of poor quality;
selection and quantities limited; and the food may not meet nutritional
needs or suit dietary modifications required because of health
concerns.

Many of the strategies to bring about change to combat poverty are
within the reach of dietitians and all Canadians.  These include:

♣     Advocate for public policy that ensures families have adequate
financial resources to purchase sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
These policies include improving social assistance and minimum wage
rates, establishing affordable housing policies, eliminating the Canada
Child Tax Benefit claw back for families receiving social assistance,
improving employment insurance coverage and benefits and providing
accessible and affordable child care.  Such policies would strengthen
the social safety net and promote better health of the population.
♣     Vote and vote wisely.  Political parties espousing policies to cut
taxes and privatize services invariably cut the social programs on
which food-insecure people depend.  Ask electoral candidates where they
stand on these issues.
♣     Educate yourself about the issues and processes to achieve food
security through social change.  Begin by reading the Dietitians of
Canada position paper “Individual and Household Food Insecurity in
Canada” available at
http://www.dietitians.ca/news/highlights_positions.asp

Dietitians of Canada is the voice of over 5000 dietitians who provide
consumers with food and nutrition information they can trust. Visit our
award winning website at www.dietitians.ca to find more advice on
nutrition and healthy eating. Media can register at
http://www.dietitians.ca/news/experts.asp to access our nationwide
database of experts in nutrition and health.

For further information contact Dietitians of Canada Spokespersons:

Elaine Power            PH (613) 533-6283
Laurie Wadsworth                PH (902) 867-2190
Laura Kalina            PH (250) 851-7424
Ruth Diamant            PH (204) 284-6910
Lori Petryk                     PH (204) 957-5057
Karen Deeley            PH (204) 949-4805
Kim Raine                       PH (780) 492-9415



-30-



*************
Elaine Power, Ph.D.
Health Studies Program
School of Physical and Health Education
Queen's University
Kingston, ON  K7L 3N6
phone: 613.533.6283
fax: 613.533.2009

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